“As people of faith, we understand that no one person can help everyone — we are called to act together for the care and well-being of all humanity.”

- Mark D. Anderson, NBA President and CEO

Serving as the health and social services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the National Benevolent Association partners with congregations, regions, general ministries, and a variety of Disciples-related health and social service providers to create communities of compassion and care. Our shared work advances care for and with others in our communities and raises awareness of needs that are often overlooked and forgotten—needs such as affordable housing; spiritual care for the incarcerated; children and family services; programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; care and advocacy for older adults; hunger and food security initiatives; and other efforts responding to human need in its many expressions.

Initiate

The NBA initiates ministries designed to establish and grow partnerships with health and social service supporters and providers.

NBA XPLOR

NBA XPLOR partners young adults with Disciples congregations and the communities in which those congregations serve. We seek to nurture “a heart for service” with young adult leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who work to address social justice issues and concerns, including the health and well-being of various communities across the country. The XPLOR Residency provides 10-months of leadership development and vocational discernment for 21- to 30-year-olds to live simply in community and engage in direct service and justice work.

Advocacy and Activism

In NBA’s strategic planning for 2018-2021, we have named Advocacy and Activism as a strategic priority, as we work to transform the root causes of social injustice. This work flows from NBA’s mission to “advocate for the well-being of humanity” and follows the trajectory of work and relationships begun with the Ferguson Justice Initiative. Efforts include equipping and training partners to address the critical social justice issues most relevant to their work, and collaborating with NBA staff to cultivate partnerships across the life of the church to coordinate efforts related to social justice theology, action, and advocacy.

Connect

The NBA connects service providers and mission partners—connections that empower them to learn, collaborate, and grow stronger. As a Disciples church, we are blessed to have the faithful expertise of health and social service ministries who provide direct care in communities every day, as well as the passionate commitment of individuals and nonprofits focused on today's most pressing social justice issues.

The NBA develops collaborations to maximize resources, share expertise, and help bring a larger focus to communities that are often underserved or otherwise ignored. We aim to be a catalyst for advocacy, education, and the support of innovative approaches to addressing justice issues. We affirm that, by working with partners, we have what we need to create purposeful change with individuals and communities.

Peer Groups for Executive Leaders, Marketing and Development Professionals, and Disciples Activists - Providing an opportunity to cultivate support and encouragement, mutual dialogue, spiritual renewal, and peer-to-peer learning

Prison and Jail Ministries Affinity Group and Peer Group - Supporting Disciples engaged in spiritual care and advocacy ministries with those who are or have been incarcerated and their families

Mental Health Initiative and Affinity Group - Supporting the prioritization of mental health and wellness in the life of the church, establishing the necessary awareness and understanding required to counter stigma, and change the landscape of conversation regarding mental illness and disorders within the church